Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 101427 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101427 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
The soft-spoken survivor was gone.
In her place stood the woman from last night.
The dominatrix.
The tactician.
The teacher.
Her kimono whispered with each step as she turned to face me fully. "Tell me something, Nyomi."
"Yes?"
"Last night, did you make the Dragon kneel?"
My throat tightened. "Yes."
Zo, who had been quiet for too long, shot up in his chair like he’d been hit by lightning. "WHAT?!"
Hiroko didn’t even blink. "Good. Because that means you already have what no one else in this war possesses."
"What do you mean?"
"You have his heart. His mind. His ear. His cock. Meanwhile, the Fox only has a hospital bed. That makes you one of the most powerful people in this war."
I sucked in a shaky breath.
"You cannot sit back and be silent and you cannot sleep through this war. I won’t let you."
I bit my lip.
Hiroko continued, stepping toward me with intensity humming in every line of her body. "You are not just some woman he keeps close for pleasure. You are the leverage. The stability. The softness that reminds him what peace feels like. You are the queen on his chessboard of enemies. You are the Dragon tamer. Do you understand that?"
“Yes. Okay. . .” I stood slowly. "Then. . .what do I do? I’m not a gangster, but I want to help him and most of all I want to keep tragedies like this morning from happening again."
Hiroko pointed to the bed. "He didn’t sleep?”
“If he did, it wasn’t in here.”
“Then, he is not focused on himself or you. His mind is drowning in war and vengeance.”
“What do I do?”
“Love him. You will be his ability to release. His pressure valve. He hasn’t even gone to sleep. He’s probably in some room right now, standing in a circle of testosterone-drunk men all flexing and shouting.” She wagged her finger. “Too many powerful men in one space always leads to stupidity, destruction, and unnecessary death. You must start being in that room when war is discussed."
I widened my eyes. “Okay but. . .”
“Yes?”
“Honestly, I would feel like that wasn’t my place.”
“Of course you would. You didn’t give the oath with your blood like everyone else in that room, but it doesn’t matter.”
“Why not?”
She stepped closer and lowered her voice. "Because a woman should be in that room. Softening things. Layering femininity into the air. Reminding those men what they’re actually fighting for—not just bloodlust and pride. And because I will teach you how to take up the space in that room so perfectly. . .no one will ever complain. . .in fact. . .they’ll beg for you to be there. . .some may even demand it."
My voice was quiet but sure. "So you’re going to teach me how to keep Kenji calm and remind him of the things that are important in life?"
"No, Nyomi. I’m going to show you how to help Kenji win this war."
My pulse beat harder in my throat. "How do I do that?"
"Go to him right now. Check on him."
"I want to." I nodded. "I’ve been wondering if he’s even eaten. Or when he plans to sleep, because he clearly needs both."
Hiroko’s lips curved into a knowing smile. "That right there. That concern. That’s what will win this war."
"You think so?"
"I know so. Kenji thinks killing his father will be the end. But war doesn’t end with death. Peace ends war. And love births peace. But how could Kenji even begin to understand that when he’s never known real love?"
Against my will, I thought of my mother again and how she would have never considered anything like this. She might have even told Hiroko to shut up and leave. In her mind, a woman’s true place was on the sidelines, quiet, and looking pretty.
But. . .I had to break that legacy.
I had to stop being the little girl in the hallway, scared to speak.
I let out a long breath. "Okay. Teach me everything.”
Hiroko grinned. “It will be day by day. I can’t do it all today, but there are clear moves you should make right now.”
“Alright. After you tell me, I’m going to wash my face, brush my teeth, and check on him."
Hiroko frowned. “Are you forgetting other steps?”
“No.”
“You are.”
"What steps am I forgetting?"
She glanced at my pajamas like they were an insult to her bloodline. "What will you be wearing?"
I blinked. "Well. . .he’s probably in his war room. I could throw on a robe—"
"Absolutely not!" Zo shrieked like I’d just slapped him.
“Alright.” I shook my head. “I can throw on some clothes.”
“Throw on some clothes? Is that how a dragon tamer sounds when they prepare for work?” Hiroko looked at me like I’d offered to wear a trash bag to a coronation. "You are with the Dragon. And this is the morning after you made him kneel. You will walk into that war room looking like a queen. You will command the attention of every man in that space. And you will absolutely make every last one of their cocks hard and remind Kenji why he should never go one night without coming to your bed. Do you understand me?”